Digital spectral identifier-controller and related methods

ABSTRACT

A high speed, low cost, wide spectrum light scanning and sensor unit ( 10 ) for receiving reflected light from an object and diffracting the light into segments of wavelengths and a linear sensor array ( 32 ) having elements positioned to receive the segments and to measure the relative magnitude of such segments to define a spectral distribution of the object together with a digital identifier-controller ( 36 ) connected to said sensing device and having a memory for memorizing a spectral distribution of light representing a first standard object, and additional memory for receiving a spectral distributions of other objects and programmable logic circuitry containing a program for determining the similarity between the standard object and the other objects.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application, Ser. No.09/343,855 filed Jun. 30, 1999 now abandoned entitled Digital SpectralIdentifier-Controller and Related Methods.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is primarily directed to an electronic apparatus andmethod for identifying objects and species of objects such as plants inan agricultural field. It includes a wide spectrum light scanning andsensor unit having a digital identifier. More particularly, thepreferred embodiment includes an apparatus for selectivelyidentifying 1) all plants, 2) all plants other than agricultural crops3) specific plants within a field, such as weeds of a specific species.

This invention is also directed to a long recognized problem ofselectively applying chemicals to specific plants in a field whileavoiding the application of such chemicals to other plants. Thepractical and economic needs for such a device are substantial. First,if not selectively applied, the herbicide may adversely affect thegrowing agricultural crop. Second, a substantial portion of a herbicidemay be wasted because it is applied to the ground surface and not to thevegetation thus reducing the cost effectiveness of the chemical. Third,application of herbicide to the ground contributes to pollution and longterm unknown environmental problems. Fourth, different herbicides havedifferent effects upon different weeds and selective application of thecorrect herbicide to the proper weeds would achieve the most costeffective eradication.

The plant identification component of my invention may also be combinedwith a mechanical weed eradicator such that the weeds may be selectivelyeradicated by a knife, water jet or other tool upon identification ofthe undesirable plant or weed. In addition, it can be used toselectively apply growth regulators, inhibitors and other chemicals toselected crop plants.

Illustrative of benefits and one field of use of this invention is theidentification and spraying of weeds in Roundup® corn or cotton, i.e.,plants whose genetics have been altered so as to be unaffected byRoundup® herbicide. Presently, these crops are planted and the Roundup®herbicide is subsequently applied over the entire crop, the ground andweeds of all types. At a recommended application rate of a quart peracre and a cost of approximately $37.50 per gallon, the farmer's totalcost of applying the Roundup® herbicide may be $10.00 per acre for eachapplication. Yet, in many fields, less than 10% of this amount ofherbicide is needed to kill only the weeds. This invention permitsidentification of the weeds and limited, but direct application ofherbicide to the weeds for a cost savings that may well approach $9.00per acre in many applications. And clearly, where Monsanto Corporation,the manufacturer of Roundup® herbicides, recommends two or moreapplications to the Roundup® corn or cotton, this invention will permitsubstantial savings in the cost of growing these crops.

This invention also applies to the identification of other plants andthe application of other chemicals to those plants. For example, growthinhibitors are applied to crops in some years to limit the growth of theplant while simultaneously enhancing the fruit production of the crop.This invention will permit the selective application of the inhibitor tothe plant without excess application to the ground and the weeds.

The invention of this application also applies to the field of plantstress and condition analysis. Its capacity to collect wide spectrumlight data reflected from a plant enables the use of the invention toquantify the condition of the plant, including the existence of plantstress at a very early stage. More importantly, the invention permitsthe collection of detail wide spectrum information that cannot be readby the human eye. Such is believed to provide early revelation of theneed for fertilizers, moisture, growth inhibitors, or the presence ofnematodes and fungi. Importantly, the invention permits an objectivemethod of analyzing plants that avoids subjective and varyinginterpretations and conclusions that might otherwise result fromindividual observation.

This invention also has application in other fields such asidentification of the condition of plants and objects including fluidsand animal tissue. For example, it may be applied to the identificationof the ripeness and grading of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes,quality control of the color of finished objects and the identificationof normal, diseased or abnormal tissue in the human body directly orthrough a scope.

THE PRIOR ART

The prior art has long recognized the problem and need for plantrecognition and the application of chemicals only to certain plants. Inthis decade one popular approach is a spray vehicle having a support barwith seats for three or more laborers holding manually operated sprayguns. As the vehicle travels down the rows at a slow speed, the laborersselectively apply a herbicide to any weeds encountered. This is oneexpensive effort to eliminate the common practice of hoeing weeds incrops such as cotton. In addition to this approach, substantial effortshave been made to develop improved plant identification methods. Inlarge part, the art has focused on the broad identification ofvegetation through two basic methods: 1) spatial detection by plantlocation in the middle of the rows by mechanical means and 2) detectionby the use of light such as breaking a light beam or reflectioncomparison of light beams composed primarily of red and infra-red lightwavelengths or of a few wavelengths of light such as the primary colors.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,569, which issued in 1978 to Randolph,teaches the detection of undesirable plants by their position betweenrows of plants. In one embodiment, Randolph teaches the use of a “feelerpaddle” to physically feel or sense the position of a plant within therow and to actuate a switch which, in turn, activates a sprayer to applya herbicide to the plant. In another embodiment, the Randolph patentteaches the use of an infrared light source and sensor to detect thepresence of a weed between the rows of plants. Interruption of theinfrared light beam indicates the presence of a weed that causesactivation of a solenoid valve which applies herbicide to the plant.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,767 which issued in 1992 to McCloy et. al. disclosesan agricultural sprayer that detects the presence of vegetation bysensing the reflected red and infrared wavelengths and the incidentlight energy. Subsequently, a CPU determines the ratio of reflected redand infrared light to the incident light, compares them with those of alookup table that is tailored with values indicative of vegetation. Ifthere is a comparison, then a herbicide spray is applied to thevegetation. McCoy notes that his device identifies green vegetationbecause it is “quite dissimilar to all other surfaces when analyzing thereflectance values of both wave-bands,” i.e., the red and infra-red wavebands. McCoy does not suggest any capability to distinguish betweentypes of green vegetation, i.e., between weeds of different types orbetween weeds and crop plants.

Another prior art device is that advertised as the Patchen™ SelectiveSpray Systems of 101A Cooper Court, Lost Gatos, Calif. 95030, a companythat is believed to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deere & Company ofMoline, Ill. On belief, this unit uses reflections from bursts of lightto distinguish between soil and weeds that are spatially located in themiddle of the row. A Patchen advertisement states:

-   -   “The spray system will spray only weeds, not bare ground. Make        No mistake—this is a revolutionary achievement that will deposit        dollar savings directly into you bank account.”        As far as can be determined, this unit has some ability to        distinguish between plants and bare ground, but not between        crops and weeds. Neither can it identify specific types of weed.        U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,763,873, 5,585,626, 5,389,781 and 5,296,702 are        believed to be directed to this device. They represent at least        six years of development work in this field.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present inventions are primarily directed to a wide spectrum lightscanning and sensor unit having a digital identifier. The preferredapplication focuses on a low cost plant identifier or recognition systemthat may be mounted upon a moving vehicle for accurately identifying anddistinguishing between different species of plants at conventionalagricultural spraying speeds. This identifier may be combined with anapparatus for selectively applying herbicides, plant inhibitors, growthregulators, or selectively actuating a tool such as a knife or water jetfor eradicating the plant. Other applications include grading of fruitsand vegetables, analysis of plant and animal tissue, etc.

The preferred embodiment of the plant identifier includes anelectromagnetic sensing mechanism that is not limited to identificationpremised upon a few wavelengths of light such as red and infrared. Thisinvention is preferably, an accurate wider spectrum electromagneticmethod and apparatus capable of accurately identifying anddiscriminating between different types of vegetation as well as betweenvegetation and soil of any type and color.

The invention includes a wide spectrum scanning and sensing unit thathaving slits through which reflected light is transmitted to a lens andthrough an associated diffraction grating which separates the lightaccording to its wavelength. The separated light impinges upon a linearsensor array of pixels within the unit which identifies both therelative wavelength and the intensity of the light. Each pixel developsa voltage indicative of the light received. An output is taken from eachof the pixels to define the spectral distribution of light reflected bya plant. This spectral distribution defines a “fingerprint” of eachspecies of plant to distinguish one species from another. If desired,the fingerprint can be transferred to and plotted on an oscilloscope(wavelength or pixel location vs. magnitude) for immediate visualexamination of the resulting fingerprint of the plant, object or tissue.

This fingerprint or wide spectrum sensing unit also has the capabilityof identifying the condition of the plants or tissue. For example, it isbelieved that the spectral distribution will reflect and identifyconditions such as plant stress including a lack of moisture, the needfor nutrients, the presence of nematodes, etc. To accomplish thisfunction more accurately, it may be desirable to read more pixels fromthe linear sensor array or to resort to a higher capacity linear sensorarray. To accumulate data reflecting a crop condition, this inventionmay include a transmittal element such as RS 232 port to permittransmission of the spectral distribution of sample plants within afield to a distant receiver or to a portable computer for subsequent,high speed analysis of the condition of the plants.

For plant identification, outputs from the pixel array of the sensingand scanning unit are converted from analog to digital signals andtransmitted to a micro controller or comparator which first memorizesthe fingerprint of the plants desired to be identified. Thereafter, thetractor and tool bar moves through the crop to generate time intervalreflected spectral distributions (frames) of plants within anagricultural crop. These reflected distributions or fingerprints of eachframe of other plants are then compared with a memorized spectraldistribution of the plant species sought to be identified. If there is acomparison, the identified plant can be sprayed or acted upon in accordwith a preset mode.

Preferably, the digital identifier is a micro controller programmed tofirst memorize a plurality of wavelengths of light reflected by one ormore plants to define the “finger-prints” of the plants of interest, tosubsequently receive additional reflected wavelengths from other plantsin timed intervals as the vehicle moves through the field and toimmediately compare the reflected wavelengths to the memorizedwavelengths. If the comparison reflects that the received wavelengthsare substantially similar to the memorized wavelengths or finger-prints,the plant can be sprayed, not sprayed or eradicated in accord with aselectable program.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the comparison made by this inventioncomprises a regression analysis to determine the coefficient ofcorrelation between the memorized and the sensed spectral distributions.If there is a high coefficient of correlation, the micro controlleremits a signal to treat the plant in accord with programmedinstructions, i.e., a solenoid valve may be opened to permit a pump tospray the identified weed or closed so as not to spray the plant, etc.The limit of the coefficient of correlation may be varied to meet anydesired certainty of plant identification.

Accordingly, the goals and objectives of this invention are to provide,among other things,

-   -   1) a method and apparatus for substantially reducing the cost of        applying herbicides to selected or undesirable plants;    -   2) a method and apparatus for substantially reducing the cost of        applying herbicides to selected plant species by identifying        plants of the selected species and by applying herbicides only        to those species;    -   3) a method and apparatus of selectively applying chemicals such        as herbicides, growth regulators and inhibitors to selected        plants rather than to the entire population of plants within a        crop field so as to reduce the cost of chemicals and to reduce        the possible adverse environmental effects;    -   4) a very accurate multi-wavelength spectral plant        identification and recognition method and apparatus;    -   5) a method and device for reading, transmitting and        accumulating the very accurate fingerprint or spectral        distribution of plants for analysis of plant conditions such as        stress resulting from lack of moisture and nutrients and the        presence of nematodes;    -   6) a method and apparatus for identification of stress        conditions of a plant prior to visual recognition of such        conditions by the human eye through the use of a full spectrum        fingerprint of the wavelengths reflected by the plant;    -   7) an apparatus for obtaining objective definitive digital        information of the condition of an object or plant which avoids        subjective conclusions drawn upon visual personal examinations;    -   8) a multi-wavelength spectral plant identification and        recognition device using a low cost diffraction gratings, and a        light sensor array;    -   9) a low cost, wide spectrum electromagnetic plant        identification method and apparatus using a low cost diffraction        grating, and a light sensor array and a memory device for        storing a fingerprint of the spectral distribution of a plant;    -   10) a wide spectrum electromagnetic plant identification        apparatus and method having the ability to memorize a wide        spectrum identification of one plant species and to compare that        memorized identification with spectrum identifications of a        number of plants so as to identify plants that are similar or        substantially similar to the memorized plant species;    -   11) an accurate plant sensing mechanism with a plant action        mechanism so as to selectively apply an action to all identified        plants of a particular species;    -   12) a simple, low cost, minimum maintenance apparatus and method        for identifying species of plants or other objects at high        speed;    -   13) a simple, lost cost, minimum maintenance apparatus and        method for identifying, grading or selecting objects, plant and        animal tissue by their color reflections,    -   14) a low cost spectroscope and identifier that does not require        costly physical calibration;    -   15) a low cost scanning, sensing and identification unit that        can use software for calibration and identification of plants,        tissue and other objects;    -   16) a low cost scanning and sensing device having a target or        aiming system to identify the area and object whose spectral        image is being generated; and    -   17) a light scanning and sensor unit having a digital identifier        for selectively identifying and evaluating objects, plant and        animal tissue of different colors for purposes of evaluation,        processing, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristicscan be obtained from this invention is explained in the followingspecification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventiondepicting the plant identification unit and its association with asolenoid controlling a spray rig, the invention being mounted on thetool bar of a farm tractor;

FIG. 1 a is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred plantidentifier unit and spray unit of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting all of the major components of apreferred embodiment of the plant identifier invention;

FIG. 2(a) is a chart depicting the functions of the software to beincorporated into the microprocessor;

FIG. 2(b) is a continuation of the chart of FIG. 2(a);

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the preferred electronic schematic layoutincluding the micro controller to be used in the apparatus and methodfor identification of plants;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative drawing of a preferred embodiment of theoptical scanning and sensor unit;

FIG. 5 depicts “fingerprint” graphs of the cotton plant and the nightshade weed actually generated by the present invention in which thewavelength (pixel location) of the plant and weed are depicted on thehorizontal axis and the magnitude of the reflected light is depicted onthe vertical axis to define the spectral distribution of each, (the datapoints of the wavelengths are estimates since the pixel output was notcalibrated by wavelength);

FIG. 6 is block diagram depicting additional components of a preferredembodiment of the plant identifier invention together with alternativesfor transmitting the plant's spectral reflectivity, the plant's identityand its condition to a remote data collector such as computer;

FIG. 6(a) is a flow chart disclosing additional functions of thesoftware program to enable the microprocessor to collect and transmitdata reflecting the plant's color spectrum for the purpose ofidentifying its species or its condition; and

FIG. 7 is an illustrative, schematic view of an alternative embodimentof the optical scanning and sensor unit having a light beam for aimingat or targeting the plant or object whose spectral image is beingscanned.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

As depicted in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment is mounted upon a toolbar 10 that is affixed to a farm tractor whose left rear wheel is shownat 12. This preferred embodiment includes a plurality of plantrecognition or scanning and sensor identification units 20. These unitsmay take various arrangements. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theseunits are positioned side by side and are directed to emit lightdownwardly and to receive reflections from a row 16. Additional unitsmay be mounted and directed to sense plants on or adjacent the seed bed18. As will be appreciated, the total number, location and directionalmountings of these identification units 20 will be dependent upon theexpected size of the plants, the desired accuracy, etc.

In operation, these identification units 20 will travel with the tractorand tool bar 10 down the rows 16 at high speeds of up to 12 miles perhour or more. Consequently, the plant sensing units must scan or taketimed plant images (frames) at a very high rate, transmit the images toa comparator or processor to quickly determine if the reflected image isfrom a plant to which a herbicide or other chemical should be directed.If so, a control or actuation signal is transmitted from a controller toa solenoid 60 to apply a herbicide spray from a pump (not shown) througha nozzle 62 to the plant 80 before the tractor unit has traveled out ofspray range of the plant.

The Plant Species Identifier

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the design and effective use of thepreferred embodiment of this invention for plant identificationpurposes. After power is applied, the processor initiates its system andprogram routines. Thereafter, a simple set up is required by the userwho must first obtain a “sample” or “standard” species of the plant tobe subsequently identified by the invention. A spectral distribution ofthe light reflected by this “sample” plant is diffracted and placed intothe memory of the digital identifier or micro controller 36. Anacceptable digital identifier or micro controller capable of servingthis function is that manufactured and sold by Motorola, Inc. ofSchaumberg, Ill. under the model designation 68HC705C8. This controller36 has substantial memory and can receive and store a spectraldistribution of reflected, discrete wavelengths of reflected light fromthe plants to be treated. In addition to data memory, it also hasprogram memory and pins to actuate the functions of managing peripheraldevices and to carry out the desired comparisons between the digitizedfingerprints of the memorized plant species with the reflectedfingerprints.

To place the “sample” or “standard” species into the programmedcontroller, the user or farmer positions the sample of the selectedplant in front of a sensing unit 20. Natural or enhanced light from ahigh intensity lamp 24 is reflected from the plant into the scanning andsensing unit 20 (outlined by dotted lines in FIG. 2). Side plates 25form slits or vertical apertures 26 to insure that the light is directedthrough a lens 28 having a focal length, preferably of 1 inch, to adiffraction grating 30. Preferably the diffraction grating has 1,000lines per meter. This grating 30 breaks the reflected light intodiscrete wavelengths and directs it to an array of linear arrangedsensors 32. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a prism may bean adequate substitute for the diffraction grating.

The array of sensors may be a TSL 1301 array manufactured and sold byTexas Instruments, Inc. of Dallas, Tex. It includes 102 sensing elementsor pixels, each comprising a PN junction. Some or all of the sensingelements may be selected to receive the diffracted light wavelengths andto generate or accumulate, upon inquiry, a voltage charge proportionalto the intensity of the received wavelength. To reduce the memoryrequired and for ease of programming, 32 of the 102 pixels have beenfound to be sufficient for plant identification purposes. This allowsfor fingerprint definition of the plant comprising 32 differentwavelengths and a rather accurate spectral distribution of the plant.Generally, these 32 wavelengths will represent a very wide, if not fullspectrum of light extending from about 400 nanometers to about 1100nanometers. If desired, other sensor arrays could be used to identifyshorter or longer wavelengths including infra red lengths.

In operation, each of these pixels develops a voltage that correlates tothe quantity of light received. This developed voltage by each pixel canbe read by the micro controller 36. For this purpose, controller 36 hasa switch 64 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to enable the farmer to manuallyinstruct the unit to pulse the sensor array 32 to obtain spectraldistribution of the “sample” of “standard.” This pulse signal willsequentially generate an analog output from all of these pixels to thesensor array 32 and transmit them to an analog-to-digital converter 34.The converter 34 will then direct digital information corresponding tothe magnitude of the voltage developed by each pixel into one of 32memory elements of the micro controller 36 for storage and comparisonpurposes.

When stored (memorized), the micro controller 36 then has a spectraldistribution or “fingerprint” of the wavelengths reflected by the plantto be identified in the subsequent fingerprinting operation in thefield. This memorized print thus becomes the “standard” against whichsubsequent or fingerprints are compared. The spectral distribution ofthe plant to be identified can also be transmitted to the other sensingunits 20 via a serial communication port in the 68HC705C8 microcontroller. This port can be tied to the corresponding ports of eachlight scanning and sensor unit 20 and an appropriate program can bewritten to allow any one of the units to communicate the spectraldistribution of the wavelengths reflected by the plant to each of theother units in the system for ease of set up.

It should be noted that plants to be identified do not have a uniformfinger print under all soil, moisture and atmospheric conditions. Thus,the present invention permits the farmer to specifically place in memorythe spectral distribution or fingerprint of the plants to be selectedfor treatment on his farm under the then existing conditions. Suchfacilitates an accurate plant identification and minimizes error thatmay result from soil moisture conditions, fertilizers, pests,temperatures, etc. Similarly, the capability of this invention toreceive and memorize specific plant fingerprints from the actual farm tobe sprayed eliminates the need and costs to develop predeterminedfingerprints for dozens of plants. For the first time, such can be doneon site. Significantly, an original aspect of this invention is itsability to generate its own fingerprints by directly focusing on theplant, tissue, object or an actual replica or photo representativethereof without the use of prerecorded digital or analog data points.FIG. 5 depicts the spectral distribution or graphical fingerprints oftwo plants that many farmers would like to identify. One curve reflectsthe fingerprint of a cotton plant that may be used to avoid applicationof herbicides or to apply a growth inhibitor. The other curve reflectsthe fingerprint or spectral distribution of a prevalent, noxious weed,the nightshade in West Texas, these distributions being taken by thepresent invention. From a comparison of these two curves, it is apparentthat they are different and that a regression analysis would generate avery small coefficient of correlation advising of the dissimilarity ofthe two plants. After the plant, such as the night shade has beenfingerprinted by memorizing its wavelength output, the unit is ready toidentify all of the plants in a field having the same finger print or“spectral distribution” of wavelengths. This comparison of the spectrumdistribution of reflected light from nightshades with that from cottonin FIG. 5 manifests the different fingerprints of these two plants so asto permit their selective identification. It also demonstrates acapability to permit set up and identification of each plant by a sampleleaf. Alternatively, the generation of a single fingerprint on anoscilloscope will permit immediate visual identification of the type orcondition of the plant or tissue if such is desired.

Assuming that the farmer's decision is to spray all of the plants of thememorized species with a herbicide such as Roundup®, the farmer fillsthe herbicide reservoir or sump S of FIG. 2 with a proper solution ofRoundup®, initiates a pressure buildup by the pressure pump P which isconnected to a solenoid valve 60 having a spray tip 62 which is directedat the same area and along the same axis as the scanning unit 20. Asolenoid driver 44, controlled by the micro controller 36 activates thesolenoid valve 60 to spray the herbicide on the plant.

To insure that the memorized plant is identified and sprayed before thetractor unit passes the plant, the micro controller 36 must firstidentify the plant as one to be sprayed and then immediately actuate thesolenoid valve 60.

To obtain this instantaneous, but very accurate plant identification,the microprocessor 36 is programmed to initialize reading the individualpixels of the linear sensor array 32 preferably at least once every 25milliseconds. Such has been calculated to permit identification of aplant having a leaf width of approximately 2.5 inch width whiletraveling at speeds of approximately 5 miles per hour. Thereafter, eachclock pulse serially reads the voltage generated by each pixel or sensorto define a spectral image, frame or fingerprint. This voltage isconverted to digital information and then stored in other data memorylocations of the micro controller 36. After the sensors are read andtheir output stored in the micro controller 36, the memorized (standard)spectral distribution is compared with the spectral distribution of thatreflected by the last plant. While only a few wavelengths could becompared to obtain a reasonably accurate determination of the similarityof the memorized plant distribution with that of the reflected plant,the preferred embodiment of this invention includes programming of themicro controller 36 to run a statistical regression analysis comparingthe data points of the spectral distribution or wave chart of thememorized plant with the reflected spectral distribution of each timeout-put or frame of the reflected spectral distribution. If thecoefficient of correlation between the two distributions is high orgreater than the pre-set limit so as to reflect similarity or identity,the micro controller 36 generates an output to the solenoid driver 44 toactivate the solenoid valve 60 to apply spray.

Fast acting solenoids such as those sold by Peter Paul Electronics Co.Inc. under the trade mark or model number 32X005806 are sufficient.Spray tips 62 can be selected to apply a very narrow target spray or awider one depending on the desires of the farmer and the need foraccuracy. For example, if one is applying a Roundup® herbicide tonightshade weeds in a Roundup® variety of cotton, some over-spray willnot damage the crop and will merely result in a limited over-spray thataffects costs and pollution in a limited way. On the other hand, therequired coefficient of correlation between the two plant fingerprintsmay be increased to obtain higher certainty of plant recognition and afiner spray tip can be selected to more accurately direct the herbicideto the identified weed and nothing else. Those acquainted with the artwill also recognize that a timing of the activation and duration of thesolenoid can be used to actuate the solenoid at a later time or distanceso that the solenoid can be activated a fixed distance after the weed isdetected thus allowing the spray to take place a fixed distance behindthe identification to avoid contaminating the optical system withchemical. If the solenoid is of a type to be deactivated, then theprogram of the micro controller can include such a function.

It should be appreciated that the micro controller 36 must be very fastand should read the memorized images and run a regression analysisnumerous times per second to insure that each weed or plant is scannedfor its spectral distribution and considered for spray by the regressionanalysis.

FIG. 3 depicts an electronic circuit board design 46 that has beendemonstrated to be effective for the purposes of this invention. Thecontroller or digital identifier 36 is located on the left side of theboard 46. Leads 48 and 50 prepare (SI) and initiating (CLK) datacommunication of the analog magnitude contained in each of the sensorsof the array 32. This accumulated data is communicated to theanalog-to-digital converter 34 via lead 52. The analog to digitalconverter 34 converts the analog signal to a binary digital signal anddelivers the result to port C, i.e., pins 21 to 28 or (PC0 through PC7),of the micro-controller 36. A timer built into the micro-controller 36repeatedly generates a clock pulse to take a new fingerprint of itsvisual area and deliver the fingerprint or spectral distribution inbinary form to the micro-controller 36.

The reference circuit 54 at the lower right of FIG. 3 supplies an upperreference for the analog to digital converter. This is set to thehighest expected value of the analog output signal 52.

After each time interval light data is fed into the micro controller 36,it runs a preprogrammed regression analysis to determine the coefficientof correlation between the spectral distribution of the memorized plantand the spectral distribution of the plant of the new time intervalframe. If the coefficient of correlation is equal to or greater than apredetermined value, the micro controller emits a signal through thesolenoid driver 44 to activate the solenoid 60 to spray identifiednightshade plant. Preferably the result of the correlation computationis converted to an integer factor that is representative of thecoefficient of correlation so as to simplify the spray decision andavoid a decimal number.

The pre-set value or correlation limit established for actuation of thesolenoid driver 44 can be increased as desired through discriminatingswitches 56 and 58. The non-grounded side of the more discriminatingswitch 56 is connected to pin 15 of the micro-controller 36. When thispin is activated, the program in the controller increases the limit ofthe correlation coefficient by {fraction (1/256)}. When pin 16 of themicro-controller is activated by pressing the less discriminating switch58 the correlation coefficient limit is decreased by {fraction (1/256)}.The increment value, {fraction (1/256)}, may be decreased by a softwarechange for greater accuracy.

A standard switch 64 may be used to instruct the micro controller 36 tomemorize the spectral sample (or standard distribution) in a specifiedportion of its memory to be used in subsequent calculations of thecorrelation coefficient or its factor. This allows the unit to sprayonly things that are like the sample or only things that are not likethe sample. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, an alternativemethod of accomplishing this task would be the use of switches connectedto a micro controller pin and software to change the logic mode. Forexample, instead of identifying plants to be sprayed with a herbicide,the invention can be set up to identify the planted or money crop—anduse an inverter to spray all other vegetation. Thus, the mode switch 66can be used to change from the mode that actuates the solenoid 60 (FIG.4) when the correlation coefficient limit is exceeded to a mode wherethe solenoid 60 is deactivated when the correlation coefficient limit isexceeded.

To facilitate one's understanding of this invention, the flow chart ofFIG. 2(a) further discloses the functions of the software of the microcontroller 36 as described herein. In addition, these functions havebeen incorporated into the following machine code for the identifiedMotorola micro controller MC68HC705C8 in a manner to utilize 32 pixelsof the light sensor array so as to 1) effectively memorize a spectraldistribution of a sample plant, 2) to subsequently take spectraldistributions (fingerprints) of other plants, 3) to compare those plantswith the sample, and 4) to identify the other plants that are of thesame species or spectral distribution as the sample.

Machine Code

-   S1130100A620B777A60FB7BBA600B7BFC61FDFAA46-   S113011082C71FDFA6A7B704A600B706A6E7B705E0-   S11301203F02A690B7BBCD044ECD0169CD01840D2D-   S1130130000BA600B7BFB778B7BDCC0141A601B785-   S1130140BFCD045D00BF022000CD04D9CD04C0CDD5-   S1130150019FCD01CECD01FDCD022D1B00BE42B3CA-   S1130160772503CD04F2CC0126060115003B1410BB-   S11301703BB677AB01B777A1402508A640B77720F7-   S113018002113B81080115023B14123BB677A00112-   S1130190B777A1012208A601B7772002133B81A6F5-   S11301A000B7B5B7B4B7B3BFBCAE425CA363271DF9-   S11301B0BFB6F6FECD0504BBB5B7B5BFBEB6BEB976-   S11301C0B4B7B4A600B9B3B7B3BEB620DE81A600F7-   S11301D0B7B2B7B1B7B0BFBCAE785CA399271DBFA7-   S11301E0B6F6FECD0504BBB2B7B2BFBEB6BEB9B15A-   S11301F0B7B1A600B9B0B7B0BEB620DE81A600B7CD-   S113020036B737B738BFBCAE425CA363271EBFB650-   S1130210F6EE36CD0504BB36B736BFBEB6BEB9372B-   S1130220B737A600B938B738BEB620DD81B638B7BF-   S11302303FB637B740B636B741CD0555B63FB738A8-   S1130240B640B737B641B736B6B9B740B6BAB74114-   S1130250A600B73FCD0555B640B7B9B641B7BAB653-   S1130260B7B740B6B8B741A600B73FCD0555B640BD-   S1130270B7B7B641B7B8B6B7B73DB6B8B73EA6003C-   S1130280B73CB6B9B740B6BAB741A600B73FCD053B-   S113029031B636B03EB7362410B637A001B737248E-   S11302A008B638A001251AB738B637B03DB7372499-   S11302B008B638A001250AB738B638B03FB7382495-   S11302C008A600B736B737B73898B636B7ACB637DE-   S11302D0B7ABB638B7AAB6ABB740B73DB6ACB741C3-   S11302E0B73ECD0531B63CB739B63FB7AAB63DB730-   S11302F0ABB63EB7ACAE045A270B39AC39AB39AA0E-   S11303003939CC02F7B6B3B73FB6B4B740B6B5B7D0-   S113031041CD0555B63FB7ADB640B7AEB641B7AF60-   S1130320A600B73FB73CB6B7B740B73DB6B8B7417C-   S1130330B73ECD0531B6AFB03EB7AF240EB6AEA0D2-   S113034001B7AE2406B6ADA001B7ADB6AEB03DB7A9-   S1130350AE2406B6ADA001B7ADB6ADB03FB7ADB6ED-   S1130360B0B73FB6B1B740B6B2B741CD0555B63F09-   S1130370B776B640B775B641B774A600B73FB73C79-   S1130380B6B9B740B73DB6BAB741B73ECD0531B6F9-   S113039074B03EB774240EB675A001B7752406B6C2-   S11303A076A001B776B675B03DB7752406B676A0CB-   S11303B001B776B676B03FB776B6AEB73DB6AFB74F-   S11303C03EB674B741B675B740CD0531B63CB73AC1-   S11303D0B63FB7ADB63DB7AEB63EB7AFAE045A27DB-   S11303E00B363A36AD36AE36AFCC03DEAE505A27B6-   S11303F054B6ACB0AFB7AC241BB6ABA001B7AB24BA-   S113040013B6AAA001B7AA240BB639A001B73924A0-   S113041003CC0445B6ABB0AEB7AB2413B6AAA00167-   S1130420B7AA240BB639A001B7392403CC0445B6C6-   S1130430AAB0ADB7AA240BB639A001B7392403CCAE-   S11304400445CC03EEBFBEA650B0BEB74281BFBCCC-   S1130450BEBB9D9D9D9D9D5A26F8BEBC81AE415C50-   S11304601000120011001300CC04821200130012B9-   S11304700013001200130000BF022003CD048CCD32-   S113048004A05CA36526E412001300811E011A0176-   S113049014001C011B0115001F011E01B602F78187-   S11304A0BFBCB6BCAB36B7BEBEBE1E011A0114003B-   S11304B011C01B0115001F011E01B602F7BEBC8101-   S11304C03FBA3FB94F98AE79FB25085CA39926F84B-   S11304D0B7BA813CB99820F3813FB83FB74F98AE83-   S11304E043FB25085CA36326F8B7B8813CB7982082-   S11304F0F3811A00B6BBB7BEA622B7BBCD044EB675-   S1130500BEB7BB813F343F35B732A609B730B632E8-   S11305103A3027022003CC052C383539345824F0DE-   S1130520B732BB3524023C34B73520E2BE34B6358D-   S113053081AE103F3C3F3F363D363E240CB63FBBB8-   S113054041B73FB63CB940B73C363C363F363D3602-   S11305503E5A26E78198AE065A2709363F3640367A-   S1130560419820F481B63FB73CB640B73DB641B799-   S11305703E393E393D393CB641BB3EB73EB640B943-   S11305803DB73DB63FB93CB73C81AE253F763F759C-   S11305903F745A2710363C363D363E25022003CDA3-   S11305A005A6CC059281B674B941B774B675A90095-   S11305B0B775B676A900B675B940B775B676A90011-   S11305C0B776B93FB77639413940393F81CC01001C-   S10805D08080808080A2-   S10F1FF405D405D305D205D105D005CDD8-   S9030000FC

FIG. 4 depicts one mechanical arrangement for the scanning and sensorunit 20. As shown, each entire light scanning and sensor unit 20 iscontained in a housing 22 that is formed of rectangular tubular stock.To the rear of the sensor unit 20 is mounted the circuit board 46. Alight source 24, preferably Sylvania lamp MR 6 is affixed in similartubular stock adjacent the housing 22. Light is reflected from an objectto the right and is reflected through the shield 68 and apertures 26,through lens 28 and diffraction grating 30 which diffracts the light thelonger wavelengths through a larger angle than the shorter ones. Theresult is a rainbow of light on sensor array 32 with infrared to thebottom and ultraviolet at the top and all parts of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum in between.

Alternative Embodiments, Modes and Methods

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed scanningand identification invention can be utilized in several ways and is notlimited to a specific mode. As earlier mentioned, a mode switch 66 canbe used to control the output of the micro controller so that it spraysthe vegetation having a high correlation coefficient to the sample, orso that it does not spray that vegetation. In addition, the planted cropcan be fingerprinted, identified and sprayed with growth inhibitors,etc. rather than herbicides. Another alternative mode of operation ofthis invention can be obtained by placing the fingerprint of two or moresamples of plant species into memory, and programming the microcontroller to run two or more comparisons or regression analysis beforeissuing a determination to actuate the sprayer or other device. Thismode and modification can take several forms. For example, if a farmerdesires to spray two weeds with different herbicides, he could associateone regression analysis with one solenoid driver and herbicide sprayerand a second regression analysis with another solenoid driver andherbicide sprayer. Such is a desirable capability when differentherbicides have different effectiveness on different plants. Inaddition, the farmer might hold a soil sample under the sensor unit andplace its spectral distribution in memory. Should the comparator thendetermine that the compared time interval spectral distribution is thesame as that of the memorized soil sample, the microprocessor can beprogrammed not to spray. This mode would permit the spraying allvegetation, but not the bare ground.

In addition to the soil sample spectral analysis, a farmer might store asecond distribution of the cotton plant of FIG. 5. After themicroprocessor runs a regression analysis comparing the reflecteddistribution with each of the soil and cotton plant distributions, itcan easily be programmed or provided with a separate logic board toactivate the sprayer only if neither cotton nor soil is detected.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate, that rather than using asingle micro controller 36 to memorize two or more plant or soilspectral distributions, one might use two or three units and focus themon the same frame or image. Each unit could memorize a singledistribution and identify a single object or plant species. The outputof these separate devices could be input to a logic board with switchesthat would permit any of the commonly known logic decisions such asthose of AND, NAND, OR, NOT etc. logic gates. In addition, the presentinvention can take many forms and utilize numerous components thatperform in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the sameresult. For example, numerous controllers or digital identifiers couldbe used in lieu of the Motorola controller disclosed in thisspecification. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that theessential functions of the digital identifier or controller 36 are thoseof providing memory for the storage of the spectrum data and of theprogram steps reflecting the desired functions as well as logiccircuitry having the ability to perform the desired functions andcomparison. Such may take the form of an arithmatic logic unit or itsequivalent. In addition, the digital identifier should have anInput/Output (I/O) capacity to receive data from the sensor array and tocontrol at least one peripheral device such as the sensor array 20.Preferably, the identifier will have input and output pins to activatethe solenoid and to receive the data reflecting the spectraldistribution or to transmit the information. Consequently, any of thevarious micro controllers, computers, microprocessors and digital signalprocessors (DSP) which have the necessary components will be acceptablealternatives. Alternatively these individual devices such as the memoryand I/O devices can be purchased separately and wired together toaccomplish the necessary functions.

More specifically, one alternative is a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)Model No TM320F240 which is made and sold by Texas Instruments ofDallas, Tex. In addition, Model No. TMS 320F243 has the capabilities tomeet the requirements of this invention. These units provide enhancedfeatures such as high speed (20 megahertz), additional storage and theability to point to two sets of data simultaneously. In addition to theuse of alternative processors, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat different lamps may be utilized and that in many cases, the lampwill not be necessary with natural light being sufficient. Too,alternative array devices that are more sensitive or have differentpixel counts may be utilized instead of the TSL 1301. For example, TSL1401 from Texas Instruments, Inc. of Dallas, Tex. will permit thecollection of 128 wavelength sectors rather than 102. And though theinvention preferably uses a regression analysis to develop a coefficientof correlation, the invention may well provide the desired accuracy ofplant identification by merely comparing only three or four data pointsof the light spectrum. This could be accomplished by use of 3 or 4discrete sensors properly located to sense the desired wavelengths oflight and a simple comparison program that does not require a regressionanalysis or computation of the coefficient of correlation. Amultiplicity of linear arrays or an area array, could be used to reducethe number of sensor units, with each column representing spectralinformation equivalent to one sensor unit. Advantage can also be takenof the opportunity to develop statistics regarding the precise locationof the edge of the canopy and the texture of the field of view with suchnumerical methods as fast Fourier transforms, convolution, and otherrecognition methods including statistical process control techniquessuch as mean and standard deviation control chart theory. With amultiplicity of elements, or an area array in which each columnrepresents the spectral reflectivity of a point on a line across thecrop row, repeated samples, taken in time as the motion of the unitcontinues through the field, spectral image data is generated anddigital filtering methods can be applied to get an image of the desiredobject, weed or other plant or feature. Another alternative would be toutilize a previously memorized spectral distribution in the form amemory or data card to set up the unit and to establish the initialelectronic memory or finger print rather than using an actual plant.Illustrative of further alternatives is the use of digital filtering andtransforms which can be used to enhance recognition capability.

An alternative embodiment of the scanning and sensing unit 20 isdepicted in FIG. 7. This improved alternative 120 includes an aiming ortarget light to facilitate identification of the plant or object whichis being scanned. This unit includes a housing 122 which houses twolenses 140 and 142 that are positioned equidistant from an apertureplate 125. Affixed to the housing 120 in any conventional manner is alight source 124 that is focused upon a plant 80. Light reflected fromthe plant passes into the housing 122 through the lens 140, the apertureplate 125 and the second lens 142 to the diffraction grating 130.Segments of this reflected light are diffracted upon the sensor array132 which is offset from the housing 122. In operation, this unit worksin a manner similar to that of scanning and sensing unit 20.

In addition, however, a Target Light is mounted to the right of thehousing 130, as viewed in the drawing. This light source, whenactivated, transmits light in the opposite direction of the reflectedlight, i.e., it passes into the housing 122, through lens 142, apertureplate 125, lens 140 where it is focused on a part of the plant 80. Whenthe Target Light source is activated in any conventional manner, thefocused light will be apparent on the same portion of the plant as thelight would be reflected from lamp 124. Accordingly, when activated, thetarget light source will identify the actual target of the scanning andsensing unit 120. Importantly, this target light will inform the userwhether the spectral sample is of the plant leaf, stem, flower etc.

Preferably, the Target Light and the lamp 124 will not be actuated atthe same time.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the focal point of thetarget light and its distance from the housing will be dependent on theselection of the lens 140 and 142 and their placement within thehousing.

The Plant Condition Identifier and Transmitter

Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 6. Thisembodiment depicts additional components for and methods of using thedigital identifier to collect and transmit plant fingerprints or widespectrum data points of plant or tissue immediate evaluation or foraccumulation and subsequent analysis of the object.

In this embodiment, a toggle switch 80 is used to switch the controllerprogram from one of plant identification to one of plant analysis, i.e.,to the accumulation of a fingerprint or wide spectrum data pointcollection and its transmittal to an oscilloscope, computer or to amemory device for analysis. Alternatively, the data can be communicatedto a portable computer physically connected to the device for plantcondition analysis.

Physically, this embodiment is physically similar to the plantidentification embodiment in that most of the same components areutilized. In addition, this embodiment has the mode switch 80 toactivate the transmittal program routine and a send or transmit switch82. When activated the transmit switch 82 instructs the processor 36 toserially transmit the entire full spectrum of the plant's condition to aRS 232 port 92 which may be connected to a portable computer or a radiotransmitter or a digital cellular device. In addition, the processor 36may be programmed to receive a signal, such as character “0” from thecomputer and to serially transmit the entire full spectrum of the plantsample to the computer where it may be stored for later analysis.

In operation of this embodiment, a program is written to reflect thesoftware functions set forth in FIG. 6(b) which is then stored inprogram memory of the processor 36. When the mode switch 80 isactivated, the light sensor accumulates a voltage charge in each of thepixels to reflect the spectral distribution of the light reflected bythe plant. Such charges are sequentially sent to the analog to digitalconverter 34 and then transmitted to data storage memory locationswithin the processor 36. Preferably sample distributions arecontinuously taken, converted and stored for possible transmission to amemory device through the RS 232 port.

The data is transmitted upon activation of the switch 82 or upon areception from the computer or cellular device connected to the RS 232element 92. In addition and as an alternative to the use of theprocessor 36 to effect this transmission function, one may obtain theanalog output from the sensor array 32 by a direct connection at 94 tothe output of the sensor 32. Such a connection has been helpful indirectly connecting the unit to an oscilloscope (not shown) to visuallyexamine the spectral distribution of the light reflected by the plant.If desired, a digital oscilloscope could be used to convert the analoginformation to digital for further use and analysis by external means.In addition, a parallel connection 96 could be taken from the A to Dconverter 34 and directed to an I/O card of a computer or other device.

Another modification to this embodiment is the use of a larger linear orarea array. Preferably model TSL 1401 or Texas Instruments, Inc. wouldbe utilized because it has 128 pixels which can be utilized to obtain amore definitive fingerprint of the plant for analysis purposes.Significantly such may be most helpful in ascertaining the degree ofstress or other conditions of the plant. In the event such a sensor isutilized, it will also be desirable to use an enhanced processor such asDSP Model No. TMS320F240 previously mentioned.

Like the machine code program previously set forth in this applicationfor the plant identification routine, persons skilled in the art caneasily formulate the collection and transmittal program or routine foruse in conjunction with either the single sample switch 82 or thecontinuous mode switch 80.

In application, it is intended that the entire identification andtransmittal units be incorporated into a light weight hand held case toenable plant inspectors to carry the units to the field, obtain spectraldistributions of one or more plants or any part there of and to transmitsuch distributions to a memory device for subsequent analysis of theplant's condition. Alternatively, such a unit could also be mounted ontool bars which are carried down the row with a computer or controllertransmitting the character “0” to the unit to effect transmittal ordownloading of one or more sample spectral distributions of the plantsor crops at various points.

In implementing these inventions, those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that the spectrometer or scanning and sensing unit 20 of myinvention may be calibrated. However, calibration may impose additionalcosts. On belief, most if not all commercial spectrometers arecalibrated. However, an alternative is to avoid calibration and toapproximately align a segment of light rays, for example visible redlight with, for example, the center pixel of the sensor array 32. Suchshould always be sufficient when the same spectral identifier unit isbeing used for the sample and for the other objects of the population.This, for the reason that the same instrument will always diffract thesame wavelengths to the same pixels and the resulting comparison willalways be comparing the output of each wavelength of the sample with theoutput of the same wavelength of the next object of the population.

However, when different instruments using an uncalibrated sensor andscanning unit of my invention are used to generate the finger prints ofobjects or tissue, it may be advantageous to insure that the digitalidentifier or comparator 36 or computer properly compares data pointsgenerated by one scanning unit 20 with the appropriate data pointsgenerated by another sensing and scanning unit 20. For example, themagnitude of the voltage generated by a diffracted wave length segmentof one sensing and scanning unit 20 should be compared and correlatedwith the magnitude of the voltage generated by the same wave lengthsegment on the other sensing and scanning unit 20. Such would inherentlyresult when using calibrated scanning and sensing units. However, if onedoes not desire to use calibrated units or if one does not use the sameidentifier unit to compare the fingerprints, it may be desirable todevelop software that will modify the wave length data points of thefingerprints of one identifier to match the corresponding wave lengthdata points of fingerprints of other identifiers. Such modificationswould require software shifting of the data points to insure thatsimilar or identical sets of wavelengths are shifted to a fixed standardfor all manufactured units. Preferably, such software would beincorporated into the memory of each of the digital identifiers 36 atthe time of manufacture and such would be a low cost form ofcalibration. Alternatively, such software may be developed for acomputer receiving transmitted fingerprints for analysis.

Those skilled in the various arts will also appreciate that the presentinventions have broad uses in other agricultural operations. Forexample, they might be used to identify specific soils on a farm toselectively apply certain fertilizers to soils having certain colors. Itmay well be used to identify and sort vegetables, fruits and otherproducts by color and ripeness. Similarly, the invention may well findapplicability in numerous industrial, medical and biologicalapplications of collecting, identifying or processing products andobjects including fluids and animal tissue by color. Such uses mayinclude the early detection of skin cancers. Another diverse applicationwould relate to color bar coding in which this invention wouldfacilitate the encoding and reading of far more information that thepresent black and white bar coding. Other uses and modifications of thisinvention such as these will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art from the contents of this application.

1. A high speed, low cost, wide spectrum plant identifier apparatusadapted to be mounted on a farm vehicle for selectively identifyingplants within a field by species and for selectively applying chemicalsthereto for the purposes of reducing the chemical costs and theexcessive chemical application which may otherwise result in pollutionproblems, said apparatus comprising: a) a sensing device for receivingreflected light from a plant, said device including a diffractionelement for separating the reflected light into segments of differentwavelengths and a linear sensor array having elements positioned toreceive the segments and to measure the relative magnitude of suchsegments to define a wide spectral distribution of the plant; b) adigital identifier connected to said sensing device and having a memoryfor memorizing a spectral distribution of light representing a firstplant species from the field, and additional memory for receiving aspectral distributions of other plants from the field and programmablelogic circuitry; c) said logic circuitry having a program to compare thereflected spectral distribution of other plants with the memorizedspectral distribution of the first species and to provide an outputindicating substantial similarity between the distributions foreffecting selective application of chemicals to the plants of the firstspecies as the associated farm vehicle traverses a field.
 2. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said identifier comprisesDigital Signal Processor.
 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 in whichsaid program includes the routine of making a regression analysis todetermine the similarity between a first plant species and the otherplants.
 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which the logiccircuitry includes a switch for modifying the degree of similarity to bedetected between the spectral distributions.
 5. A low cost, high speedspectral sensing method for collecting and wirelessly transmittingspectral information on the physical condition of an object in need ofremote analysis of the condition and/or identity of the objects, saidmethod comprising the steps of: a) sensing the spectral distribution ofa plurality of segments of wave lengths of light reflected by the objectin need of remote analysis with a portable spectral apparatus; b)electronically measuring the magnitude of the segments of the reflectedwavelengths to define a wide spectral distribution of light receivedfrom said object; c) wirelessly transmitting the spectral distributionto a remote readable electronic memory to facilitate said remoteanalysis of the object, and d) said portable spectral apparatus having atarget light means for aiming the apparatus at the object from which thelight is to be reflected.
 6. The method recited in claim 5 in which thespectral distribution is first converted to digital information prior totransmitting.
 7. A high speed, low cost apparatus for selectivelyidentifying objects, including fluids and tissue, and their condition,from within a population; said apparatus comprising: a) a sensing devicefor receiving reflected light from a sample object from the population,said device including a lens and diffraction device for separating thereflected light into a plurality of segments of wavelengths and formeasuring the magnitude of the segments of reflected light to define aspectral distribution; b) a digital identifier connected to said sensingdevice and having a memory for receiving and storing a spectraldistribution of light representing the sample object from saidpopulation; c) said digital identifier also having a memory forreceiving and storing sequential spectral distributions from additionalobjects of the population; d) said digital identifier having a low costchip with logic circuitry specially programmed to compare the subsequentspectral distribution with the memorized spectral distribution and toprovide an output indicating similarity between the distributions.
 8. Anapparatus as recited in claim 7 in which said chip comprises a digitalsignal processor.
 9. A low cost, digital identifier apparatus foridentifying similarities of spectral distributions of two objects, saidapparatus comprising: a) a micro controller; b) said micro controllerhaving electronic memory elements for receiving digital signalsreflecting a first wide spectral distribution of light segmentsreflected from an object; c) electronic memory elements for receivingdigital signals reflecting spectral distribution of light segments fromother objects; and d) logic circuitry including memory containinginstructions for a regression analysis program for enabling said microcontroller to compare the first spectral distribution of light segmentswith the spectral distribution of another object and for generating anoutput signal reflecting the results of said comparison.
 10. Anidentifier apparatus as recited in claim 9 in which said microcontroller and said logic circuitry comprise a Digital Signal Processor.11. In an apparatus as recited in claim 9 in which said micro controllerprocessor can be programmed to generate an output signal uponcalculation of different coefficients of correlation.
 12. A low cost,high speed method for facilitating evaluation of selected objects, saidmethod comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a spectral distribution ofreflected light segments from at least one sample object of a populationand converting same to electronic memory; b) sequentially generating aspectral distribution of additional objects of a population andconverting same to electronic memory; c) comparing said spectraldistribution of the additional objects with the distribution of saidsample object with a low cost electronic controller chip programmed withat least one correlation algorithm and coupled to said memories toachieve said low cost method and to produce an output signal of thesimilarity of said distributions.
 13. A method as recited in claim 12 inwhich the coefficient of correlation can be varied to provide an outputsignal for different degrees of similarity.
 14. A method as recited inclaim 12 in which the degree of similarity required to generate theoutput signal can be increased or decreased.
 15. A lightweight, portabledevice for collecting spectral information on agricultural plants inneed of remote analysis and for electronically transmitting theinformation for remote analysis, said device comprising: a) a housinghaving an opening for receiving reflected light from said agriculturalplant in need of said remote analysis, b) a diffraction device forreceiving said light and for diffracting said light into a plurality ofsegments having different wavelengths, c) an array means carried by thehousing and aligned for receiving a plurality of spectral segments oflight having different wavelengths and to generate voltages whosemagnitude generally correlates to the intensity of said segments todefine a spectral fingerprint; and, d) a controller means associatedwith said array for transmitting the spectral fingerprint to anelectronic memory for said analysis of the agricultural plant.
 16. Anapparatus as recited in claim 15 in which said portable device has atarget light means for aiming the apparatus at the agricultural plants.17. An apparatus as recited in claim 15 in which said controller meanscomprises a digital signal processor.
 18. A low cost, lightweight,sensing method for obtaining spectral information on the identity and/orphysical condition of objects such as plants, fluids and/or tissue forsubsequent analysis of their identity and/or physical condition,comprising the steps of: a) sensing the spectral distribution of aplurality of wave lengths of light by segment reflected by the objects;b) electronically measuring the magnitude of the segments of thereflected wave lengths to define a spectrum distribution of lightreceived from said objects; and c) wirelessly transmitting said spectralinformation to a readable electronic memory for said subsequent analysisand/or identification of said objects; and d) said spectral distributionbeing sensed by a portable spectral apparatus having a target light foraiming the apparatus at said object.
 19. A method as recited in claim 18in which said spectral distribution comprises at least 3 data points.20. A low cost method for comparing selected objects, said methodcomprising the steps of: a) obtaining a spectral distribution ofreflected light segments from a representative of a sample species of apopulation; b) sequentially generating a spectral distribution ofadditional species of a population; c) comparing said spectraldistribution of the additional species with the distribution of saidrepresentative with an electronic controller chip having an arithmeticlogic unit specially programmed with a comparative algorithm to obtainsaid low cost method and producing an output signal when saiddistributions are substantially similar.
 21. A method as recited inclaim 20 in which said spectral distributions comprises at least threedata points.
 22. A method as recited in claim 20 in which said spectraldistributions are compared by a mathematical algorithm.
 23. A low costapparatus for selectively identifying objects, including fluids andtissue, and their condition, from within a population; said apparatuscomprising: a) a sensing device for receiving reflected light fromobjects of a population, said device including a lens and diffractiondevice for separating the reflected light into a plurality of segmentsof wavelengths and for directing said segments upon an array formeasuring the magnitude of the segments of reflected light to define aspectral distribution; b) a digital identifier connected to said sensingdevice and having a memory for receiving and storing a spectraldistribution of light representing a sample object from said population;c) said digital identifier also having a memory for receiving andstoring sequential spectral distributions from various objects of thepopulation; d) said digital identifier having logic circuitry programmedto compare the subsequent spectral distribution with the memorizedspectral distribution and to provide an output indicating the results ofthe comparison of the distributions.
 24. An apparatus as recited inclaim 23 in which said sensing device is calibrated such that the samesegments of diffracted light wavelengths are repeatedly separated anddiffracted upon substantially the same area of the array.
 25. Anapparatus as recited in claim 23 in which said sensing device is alignedsuch that at least one segment of wavelengths of light is alwaysdiffracted upon the same area of the array.
 26. An apparatus as recitedin claim 23 in which said spectral distribution comprises at least threedata points.
 27. An apparatus as recited in claim 23 in which said logiccircuitry comprises a digital signal processor.
 28. A wide spectrumimage device comprising; a) a housing receiving light from an object andhaving a diffraction device for separating the light into segments ofdifferent wave lengths; b) a linear array positioned adjacent saidhousing for receiving the separated wavelength segments and forelectronically recording the magnitude thereof as an image; and c) anaiming device having a beam of light supported by the housing forpointing the housing towards the object from which the light is to bereflected.
 29. A wide spectrum image device as recited in claim 28 whichincludes an electronic identifier receiving the electronically recordedimage from the array and for identifying at least one property of theobject.
 30. A wide spectrum image device as recited in claim 29 in whichsaid identifier comprises a digital signal processor that includes an Ato D converter for converting the magnitude of the separated wavelengths to digital information.
 31. A wide spectrum image device asrecited in claim 29 in which said identifier is a micro processorprogrammed to run a regression analysis to determine the similaritybetween a first image and a second image.
 32. An image apparatus forselectively identifying objects, including fluids and tissue, and theircondition, from within a population; said apparatus comprising: a) asensing device for receiving reflected light from an object of apopulation, said device including a diffraction element for separatingthe reflected light into a plurality of segments of wavelengths and anarray receiving said reflected light for measuring the magnitude of thesegments of reflected light to obtain a spectral distribution; b) adigital identifier connected to said sensing device and having a memoryfor receiving and storing a spectral distribution of light representingthe sample object from said population; c) said digital identifier alsohaving a memory for receiving and storing sequential spectraldistribution from an additional object of the population; d) saiddigital identifier having logic circuitry programmed to compare thesubsequent spectral distribution of the object with the spectraldistribution of the sample object and to provide an output indicatingsimilarity between the distributions; and e) an aiming light source forgenerating a beam of light to focus the digital identifier upon thedesired target.
 33. An apparatus as recited in claim 32 in which saididentifier comprises a digital signal processor.
 34. A low cost digitalidentifier apparatus for comparing spectral distributions, said devicecomprising: a) electronic memory elements for receiving signalsreflecting a first spectral distribution of reflected light segments; b)electronic memory elements for receiving signals reflecting anadditional spectral distribution of reflected light segments; and c)logic circuitry in which said low cost apparatus comprises a controllerchip with an arithmatic logic unit interconnected with said memoryelements and containing an algorithm for a regression analysis forcomparing the first spectral distribution of light segments with theadditional spectral distribution of reflected light segments.
 35. Adigital identifier apparatus as recited in claim 34 in which saidcontroller chip and said memory elements comprises a Digital SignalProcessor.
 36. A digital identifier apparatus as recited in claim 34 inwhich the apparatus has means for changing the coefficient ofcorrelation of said regression algorithm.
 37. A digital identifierapparatus as recited in claim 34 in which the first spectraldistribution is obtained from a data base.
 38. A digital identifierapparatus as recited in claim 34 in which the algorithm indicates thedegree of dissimilarity between the two distributions.
 39. A low costmethod for comparing selected objects, said method comprising the stepsof: a) generating a spectral distribution of reflected light segments inbinary form from a first object; b) sequentially generating a spectraldistribution of reflected light segments in binary form of an additionalobject; c) electronically comparing said spectral distribution of theadditional object with the distribution of said first object using a lowcost chip containing an arithmatic logic unit having an algorithm.
 40. Amethod as recited in claim 39 in which said chip comprises a microcontroller and said algorithm includes a regression analysis.
 41. Amethod as recited in claim 39 in which said light segments in numericalform are generated by directing said light upon an array whose output isconverted to a digital output for comparison.
 42. A method as recited inclaim 41 in which said light segments are directed upon said array by alens.
 43. A low cost sensing device for objects, said device comprising:a) an array for receiving reflected light from objects and forgenerating a plurality of signals indicating the intensity of thereflected light; b) a comparator connected to said array for receivingsignals from said array, said comparator having a regression algorithmfor comparing the signals from the object with signals from a standardand for identifying the similarity between objects.
 44. A device asrecited in claim 43 the correlation coefficient of the regressionanalysis can be changed to ascertain different degrees of similaritybetween the object and the standard.
 45. A device as recited in claim 43the correlation coefficient of the regression analysis can be changed bya manual switch to ascertain different degrees of certainty ofidentification.